Dear Loretto
Slow to respond, but no-doubt the matter will not have been resolved.
The issue of talking lifts is always a difficult one when there are staff
who would be subjected to the sound on a continuous basis (eg reception
staff) where the repetition can be classified as a Health and Safety issue.
The main drawback of most 'annunciation' systems is that they are housed on
the top of the lift car - so that they announce to the inside and the
outside with just one speaker. There is therefore a large amount of noise
overspill. Talk to the lift supplier to see if they can produce a more
discrete sysyem, or, alternatively get them to silence the 'gong' at the
landing with the staff area - the gong is to announce the arrival of the
lift and its direction of travel, but the Library only has a few floors, so
direction may not be vital (it is supposed to be 2 pings for diwn and one
for up).
To persuade them is may be worth getting a demonstration by the lift
manufacturer, who will also be able to demonstrate a range of 'voices'
available in EPROM. We tend to recommend a Female Scottish Brogue as the
ideal. Test the volumes and location of any speaker in the lift, and
perhaps increase the sound absorbancy of the lift car with soft surfaces to
keep the sound where it should be.
The DDA is a bit of a red herring in this respect - no piece of guidance or
information asks for voice annunciation, and I would imagine that a Library
would be able to envoke the 'reasonable' defence.
it may also be worth looking at the lobbying arrangements surrounding the
lift to reduce the 'open plan' nature of the Library and therefore contain
the 'noise'.
Hope this is late but of some help!
Regards,
James
James Holmes-Siedle, Director
All Clear Designs Limited
3rd Floor, Cooper House
2 Michael Road
London SW6 2ER
Tel (0171) 384 2950
Fax (0171) 384 2951
email [log in to unmask]
Cserve 100451,3571
http://www.allclear.co.uk/index.htm
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